Free The Rivers Webb by Jeremy Tyler Page A

was looking for absolutely nothing. His observations would seem to be engrossed, at first glimpse, but it was clear enough to John’s trained eye that he was not actually paying much attention to whatever it was he was looking at. His focus was more outward, less focused, as if he were lying in wait for something…
    In the general direction of the south bank, an odd rustling came. John heard it, but just barely.
    â€œYou hear that,” Dan said out of the side of his mouth. It was not a question. It was a reminder that this was Dan’s turf.
    â€œI heard it. Nice to know it wasn’t just me,” John returned, without shifting his gaze from the hills he had been absently watching. The sound came again, seemingly louder, now that he was listening for it, but it was still barely audible. As John’s eyes cut over briefly to Earl, he saw that the man was unchanged.
    â€œAbout 11 o’clock from your position, just past the tree line,” Dan said, seemingly without ever losing interest in the small pebbles he was studying. John tried to make out a form out of the corner of his eye, and was rewarded with a glimpse.
    â€œDamn it, Dan!” he yelled loudly, walking back to the boat where Earl waited. “I told you this was a waste of time! Earl, start the boat, we’re going home.”
    Earl, not realizing this was for some strange person’s benefit, was only too happy to put some distance between him and that island. He dropped the propeller into the water, and had it humming before Dan could get up from where he had stooped to look at the ground and argue about it.
    â€œOh, well, God forbid we waste any precious time looking into something that you didn’t think of!” Dan yelled back. He was hamming it up pretty well.
    If Earl had any idea that the argument was simply a ruse, he never let on.
    â€œThere’s nothing here, Dan. It was worth a look, but it’s over, now.”
    They kept arguing even after they got into the boat, even after Earl started moving away from the island. So heated was the argument, that it seemed oddly appropriate when Dan shouldered John so roughly that he fell back into Earl and caused him to veer sharply toward the south shore. Earl tried to adjust, but the man seemed to be confused. It seemed almost as if he was trying to beach them.
    The stranger on the shore was more suspicious of motive than Earl, because he made no attempt to cover the noise as he ran this time. Both Dan and John dashed out of the boat the second it hit ground, and were in full chase. At a signal from Dan, John followed the river, as Dan moved upward. Earl was left, once again, in the boat, still wondering what was going on.
    Their quarry clearly knew these woods very well, as he cleanly and almost effortlessly slipped through trees, bush, and bramble. Dan had a rough time keeping up, but managed to keep the dodging figure in sight, shoving through low hanging branches as they slapped at his face. When possible, he tried to drive him back toward the river, to give John an opportunity to get ahead of him and spring the trap. It became clear very quickly, however, that this particular individual would not be easily herded—at least, not without some encouragement. As the quarry started to make a turn to the right, Dan quickly slid his revolver out of his holster and snapped a round off ahead of him. The effect was considerable, and instantaneous. Dan’s runner switched gears and started moving toward the more dense coverage back toward the river. Dan hoped John had gotten into position, as he followed fast.
    Truth be known, Dan was no stranger to these woods himself, but whoever was running ahead of him was far more familiar with their twists and turns. He was having to put his full attention on the path before him just to keep up. Unfortunately, that meant a rather reckless dash through the woods. With a quick cut to the left that proved to be too much to ask,